Dhigufaru Island Resort
Overwater villas and a house reef in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
An island resort on Kendhoo
Dhigufaru Island Resort is a five-star property in Baa Atoll, 142 km from Velana International Airport and about 40 minutes by seaplane. The island sits within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, which means the surrounding reef is one of the most protected marine areas in the Maldives. Across 83 villas and rooms, guests can choose from beach-facing units, overwater villas, and pool villas at various price points. Five dining venues, Funa Spa, Fulhangi Dive School, and a dedicated kids club round out what is available on the island.
Is this stay right for you?
A well-run five-star island resort where the marine environment is the main draw, backed by consistent service scores and a broad range of villa categories.
Best for
- Couples wanting overwater villas with private pools
- Divers and snorkellers drawn to a protected reef
- Families needing a two-bedroom villa and kids club
- Guests who want all-inclusive dining on a remote island
Less suited to
- Travellers on a tight schedule — seaplane windows are 9 AM to 3 PM daily
- Those who prefer urban surroundings or easy day trips
- Budget-conscious solo travellers
A Biosphere Reserve setting
Dhigufaru sits inside the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The designation shapes what happens underwater: the house reef is accessible directly from the island, and the wider atoll is known for manta rays and whale sharks at certain times of year.
Overwater villas above the lagoon
The water villa categories — Sunrise, Sunset, and pool versions — each run 74 to 89 m² and sit on stilts above the lagoon. Every unit has a private terrace and direct lagoon staircase. The pool water villas add a private plunge pool at the deck level.
Five dining venues on the island
Dhandifulhu Restaurant handles all-day local and international dining. Muraka is the overwater fine-dining room, focused on Maldivian cuisine. Athiri Grill works as a casual beach option. Thundi Pool Bar and Raagudi Bar cover drinks and evening cocktails.
Funa Spa and beach facilities
Funa Spa includes dedicated treatment rooms, a reflexology centre, sauna and steam room, and a salon. The resort also has an outdoor pool with a hot tub, a fitness centre, and a beachfront with private beach area.
Beach villas facing sunrise or sunset
The 20 beach villa units split between sunrise and sunset orientations. At 49 m² each, they are the most compact option on the island, with a patio, terrace, and sea view. The Sunset Beach Villa with Pool steps up to 103 m² with a private pool.
Where you'll stay
Sunrise Beach Villa
49 m²
- Balcony
- Sea view
- Air conditioning
- Patio
- Attached bathroom
Semi-Water Villa
53 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 king bed
- Entire villa
- Balcony
- Sea view
- Air conditioning
- Patio
Sunset Beach Villa with Pool
103 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 king bed
- Entire villa
- Private pool
- Balcony
- Sea view
- Air conditioning
Sunrise Water Villa
74 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 king bed
- Entire villa
- Balcony
- Sea view
- Air conditioning
- Patio
Sunset Water Villa
74 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 queen bed
- Entire villa
- Balcony
- Sea view
- Air conditioning
- Patio
Sunrise Water Villa with Infinity Pool
89 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 king bed
- Entire villa
- Private pool
- Balcony
- Sea view
- Air conditioning
Sunset Water Villa with Infinity Pool
89 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 queen bed
- Entire villa
- Private pool
- Balcony
- Sea view
- Air conditioning
Presidential Suite with Infinity Pool
151 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 king bed
- Entire villa
- Private pool
- Balcony
- Sea view
- Air conditioning
Two-Bedroom Family Beach Villa
139 m² · sleeps 2 · Bedroom 1: 1 king bed Bedroom 2: 1 king bed
- Entire villa
- Balcony
- Sea view
- Air conditioning
- Patio
On & off the island
Inside Dhigufaru Island Resort
Amenities at Dhigufaru Island Resort
Most popular facilities
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Airport shuttle
- Spa and wellness center
- Fitness center
- 5 restaurants
- Room service
- Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
- Bar
Arriving
Dhigufaru is 142 km from Velana International Airport. The standard transfer is a seaplane with Trans Maldivian Airways, taking roughly 40 minutes, with daily departures between 9 AM and 3 PM. An alternative is a domestic flight to Dharavandhoo airport, then a 70-minute speedboat to the island. The airport shuttle runs at an extra charge.
Seaplane transfers typically run $250–600 per person round trip, booked through the property. A few islands in this band are also served by a domestic flight to a nearby regional airport plus a short boat — ask the property which routing is faster for your dates.
Across 523 Google reviews, Dhigufaru holds a 4.5/5 rating. Service is the strongest theme: 72 of 97 mentions were positive. The property itself scores well — 58 of 64 reviews on that topic were favourable. Nature and the surrounding reef also draw consistent praise, with 41 of 52 mentions positive. Dining reviews are more mixed, with 23 positive out of 47, and bar reviews split almost evenly.
- Things to do3.4
- Restaurants3.3
- Airport access1.6
Share of positive mentions per theme, from Google reviews.
Reviews scoring 9–10: 23 · average 9.6
They wrote about: staff, breakfast, facilities
Reviews scoring 7–9: 4 · average 7.5
They wrote about: room, bathroom, staff
Reviews scoring 5–7: 1 · average 6
They wrote about: location, cleanliness, room
Reviews scoring Under 5: 2 · average 2
They wrote about: cleanliness, breakfast, value
No reviews in the selected score range.
Guest reviews summarised from Booking site partners.
Things to know
Frequently asked
How do I get to Dhigufaru Island Resort from the airport?
The standard transfer is a seaplane with Trans Maldivian Airways from Velana International Airport, taking around 40 minutes. Seaplanes run daily between 9 AM and 3 PM. An alternative route uses a domestic flight to Dharavandhoo airport followed by a 70-minute speedboat.
What room types are available?
The resort has beach villas (sunrise and sunset), a semi-water villa, overwater water villas (sunrise and sunset), pool versions of both beach and water villas, a 151 m² Presidential Suite with infinity pool, and a two-bedroom family beach villa sleeping four.
Is all-inclusive available?
Yes. The resort offers an all-inclusive meal plan as an option. Rates are also available on a bed-and-breakfast basis, with breakfast included as standard.
How many restaurants and bars are on the island?
There are five dining venues: Dhandifulhu Restaurant (main, local and international), Athiri Grill (casual beach grill), Muraka Fine Dining (overwater, Maldivian cuisine), and in-villa dining. The Thundi Pool Bar and Raagudi cocktail bar handle drinks.
Is there a house reef for snorkelling and diving?
Yes. The resort has an accessible house reef and sits within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Fulhangi Dive School operates from the island for diving and water sports, and snorkelling excursions run in the surrounding atoll.
Is the resort suitable for families with children?
Yes. The two-bedroom family beach villa sleeps four at 139 m². Baraveli Kids Club is on site. The facilities list also includes family rooms as a category.
What does the spa offer?
Funa Spa has treatment rooms, a reflexology centre, sauna and steam room, and a salon. It is on the island, so no transfer is needed to access it.
What is the price range for rooms?
Rates start from around USD 509 per night for a Sunrise Beach Villa. Overwater villas with pools start from around USD 1,514, and the Presidential Suite starts from approximately USD 5,044 per night.
What activities are available beyond diving and snorkelling?
The resort runs cooking classes, local culture tours, evening entertainment, live music, and themed dinner nights. Water sport facilities are on site through Fulhangi Dive School.
Is there a fitness centre?
Yes. The resort has a fitness centre on the island. Fitness-related reviews were among the more positive clusters, with 21 of 27 mentions favourable.
Is free Wi-Fi available throughout the property?
Yes, free Wi-Fi is listed across the property.
When do seaplanes operate, and what if my flight arrives late?
Trans Maldivian Airways seaplanes run from Velana Airport between 9 AM and 3 PM daily. Guests arriving outside that window would need to use the alternative domestic flight to Dharavandhoo followed by a 70-minute speedboat transfer.